Fact 1: The First Recorded European Birth in North America
On January 2, 1492, Martin de Argüelles was born in St. Augustine, Florida. He became the first born person of European ancestry in what is now the United States. Navigation and exploration for the Spanish settlers gave birth to the first non-Native American child, a remarkable event in American history.
Fact 2: Creation of the Vega Star
In science, particularly in the field of astronomy, the Vega star, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, was formed approximately 450 million years ago on January 2, according to scientists' calculations. The Vega is incredibly luminous, and its light has helped guide explorers for centuries.
Fact 3: Haiti’s Day of Independence
January 2 is a significant date for the people of Haiti; it is their Independence Day. On this day in 1804, Haiti gained independence from France, making it the first black republic and the second republic in the Western Hemisphere after the United States.
Fact 4: Start of The Rose Parade
One of the oldest and most watched parades in the United States, The Rose Parade, was initiated on January 2, 1890, in Pasadena, California. The parade is a part of the New Year’s celebration in the United States.
Fact 5: A Leap Second Addition Day
On this day in 1973, a "leap second" was added to the world's time scales to compensate for the slight inaccuracy in atomic clocks. This makes January 2 a bit longer than a regular day!
Fact 6: The Inroduction of the Euro
On January 2, 2002, the Euro began circulating as an everyday currency across Europe. It was a ground-breaking step towards financial integration and paved the way for a single European economy.
Fact 7: Photography Patented
On January 2, 1839, the first Daguerreotype photograph, the forerunner to modern photography, was patented. This milestone in the evolution of photography is a lesser-known fact of the date.
Fact 8: Foundation of Georgia
Georgia, one of the original 13 American colonies, was officially founded on January 2, 1788. On this day, Georgia joined the union as the 4th state.
Fact 9: A Day for Science Fiction
January 2nd is recognized as Science Fiction Day. It coincides with the birthday of legendary science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, giving sci-fi fans a chance to celebrate their favourite genre.
Fact 10: The Girl Scouts’ Birthday
Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, was born on the 2nd of January back in 1860. This date indirectly marks the birth of one of the biggest developmental organizations for girls in the world.
Fact 11: The Second President in the United States
The first president of the United States to make a child while in office, John Tyler, was born on January 2nd, 1790. He went on to serve as the country’s tenth president, with 14 kids to his name!
Fact 12: The Debut of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes"
Classic detective fiction character Sherlock Holmes made his debut on the 2nd of January 1893. His adventures originally published in the Strand magazine.
Fact 13: Led Zeppelin’s Longest Concert Performance
On January 2, 1973, British rock band Led Zeppelin performed their longest-ever concert at the City Hall in Sheffield, UK, lasting for four hours!
Fact 14: Outbreak of Texas War of Independence
On this day in 1831, the Texas War of Independence broke out as a result of the Battle of Velasco. It is a key event in the lead-up to Texas gaining independence from Mexico.
Fact 15: McDonald's Opens Up in Russia
The golden arches of McDonald’s entered Russia for the first time on January 2, 1990. This significant event is a symbol of Western influence in post-Cold War Russia.
Fact 16: The Opening of Sydney Harbour Bridge
At the time, the largest single-span steel arch bridge, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened for the initial one-way traffic on the 2nd of January in 1928.
Fact 17: The Launch of Luna 1
On January 2, 1959, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 1 was launched, making it the first man-made object to reach the escape velocity of the Earth— a momentous event in the history of space exploration.
Fact 18: Development of the First X-ray Machine
On January 2nd of 1896, Dr. Henry Louis Smith took the first X-ray photo ever. This day serves as a milestone in the history of medical advancement.
Fact 19: The Birthday of Cuba's Revolution
January 2 is celebrated as the Victory Day in Cuba. It marks the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, against the dictatorial regime of Fulgencio Batista.
Fact 20: The "Mona Lisa" Returns to Louvre
After being stolen in 1911, the world-famous painting "Mona Lisa" returned to the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, on the 2nd of January 1914. This marked the end of one of the greatest art thefts in history.